Final answer:
Cattle ranchers on 'held in common' lands engaged in activities such as enclosures, protection of interests, and employment of workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
On 'held in common' lands, cattle ranchers engaged in various activities. In Wyoming, some large ranchers formed the Wyoming Stock Growers' Association and hired armed guards to enclose public lands and protect their interests. They also hired gunmen to intimidate small independent ranchers who protested the enclosure and theft of cattle. In California, during the Mexican era, massive cattle ranches were operated by a few dozen families who employed laborers. However, after the Mexican-American War, most large ranchos were broken up and turned into small suburban home lots. Overall, ranchers took advantage of the vast lands to expand their operations, employ workers, and protect their interests.